ANOTHER service?

[Incognegro]

Have you ever felt like your church is just too busy?  Too many services, always a special program, always a rehearsal of some kind.

As our only keys player, I'm needed in every service.

Of course it's not RC (Religiously Correct) to say "I don't wanna be here all the time!", but when you have a family and other interests, it can weigh on you.   


I'm sure we've had a thread like this in the past, but I couldn't locate it.

[under13]

I just dont go. The church I play for has an evening service every Sunday.  I only go when they have something special.

[churchyreal]

Have you ever felt like your church is just too busy?  Too many services, always a special program, always a rehearsal of some kind.

As our only keys player, I'm needed in every service.

Of course it's not RC (Religiously Correct) to say "I don't wanna be here all the time!", but when you have a family and other interests, it can weigh on you.  


I'm sure we've had a thread like this in the past, but I couldn't locate it.

Yeah we are dealing with that right now. Our church is a small 350+ membership church yet we operate like a church with about 3500 people. Space is limited cause our sanctuary fits 300. We have 2 services every Sunday and we kind of have conflicting mindsets. Our pastor is a big-church minded person yet many of the members, particuarly those who have been in our church for years are still small church oriented. Our church is in a small town and area where there's like a church on every corner.

Then we still have a few afternoon services which would make it our 3rd service of the day...ugghh! Then we have so many rehearsals during the week it can feel overloaded at times. That's why I don't go to bible study sometimes because I"m at the church so much already during the week.

[Incognegro]

I just dont go. The church I play for has an evening service every Sunday.  I only go when they have something special.

There's another Keys/Organ player?

[churchyreal]

There's another Keys/Organ player?

Yes and no. Yes because we have somebody assist with Senior Choir on 2nd Sunday because originally I played at another church on 2nd Sunday before playing full time. But all the other Sundays it's just me. Pastor believes in having one musician (Keys/organ player) for consistency and "community".

[b3wannab]

This is something that most musicians will struggle with at some point. 

I believe that your family is your 1st ministry, and being a church musician is your 2nd ministry.  Make sure your 2nd ministry doesn't get in the way of your 1st ministry.

Sometimes you may just have to say, "I ain't comin'!"

[Incognegro]

Sometimes you may just have to say, "I ain't comin'!"

It's hard for me to not go, knowing that all they'll have is a bass and drums.   

[LaylaMonroe]

My Atl church is like that. As a consultant, I try to encourage pastors to have services and launch auxiliary ministries on a need-based basis. They always agree, but they rarely adhere.

My ATL church, with less than 100 members (and about 40 regulars) had 5:30 a.m. prayer every weekday, and leaders were required to attend at least twice a week (intercessors and ministers, 3 times a week). We had Bible Study on Wednesdays and service on Fridays, plus two services on Sundays. Not only does that take a lot of time, it also takes a lot of money (offerings and gas!!!). Plus, the chances of eating out are greater when you go to church a lot.

It can be frustrating.

I'm grateful that at the Alabama church, only about 10 ppl actually live in Selma, so we don't have ANY extra services - just one a week. He does preach out a lot, though (about 3-5 times a month), and I always travel with him and the other ministers. He did mention starting Bible Study before the year is out. I hope he'll do it on the phone! LOL

I'm starting a virtual church movement!!! LOL

[under13]

There's another Keys/Organ player?

Yeah, the Pastor plays the piano. I dont think I'd ever play at a church where I'm the only musician.

This is something that most musicians will struggle with at some point. 

I believe that your family is your 1st ministry, and being a church musician is your 2nd ministry.  Make sure your 2nd ministry doesn't get in the way of your 1st ministry.

Sometimes you may just have to say, "I ain't comin'!"

I agree.

I'm waiting for the church folks here to say  "you can never have too much of the word......."

[sjonathan02]

Yeah, the Pastor plays the piano. I dont think I'd ever play at a church where I'm the only musician.
I agree.

I'm waiting for the church folks here to say  "you can never have too much of the word......."

Well, you can't. 



















































BUT YOU CAN READ IT JUST AS WELL AT HOME.

[Incognegro]

I'm waiting for the church folks here to say  "you can never have too much of the word......."

Brutha28:

[B3Wannabe]

Same here.

I just say no. There is nothing wrong with that.

What I do, is try to train someone to take my place; so if I'm not there, then nothing falls apart--as they say.

Sheesh! There's nothing wrong with simply staying home one Sunday! It's not THAT serious, really. I love church just as much as the next person, but being a Christian is more than just going to church every Sunday.

I also plan my vacations far in advance, and try to let them know when I'll be away as early as possible.

[Incognegro]

I'm waiting for the church folks here to say  "you can never have too much of the word......."

Well, you can't. 

BUT YOU CAN READ IT JUST AS WELL AT HOME.

I know you meant for that print to be small, but I had to make that bigga fuh emfuhsis.

[spider5]

Have they or are they trying to get another musician? If not, maybe you should tell them that you have a family and that you need to spend time with them, and that you won't be able to come to every service, because you have to spend time with your family. Hopefully and prayerfully they will understand, and find another musician to ease the tension off of you, trust me I know what you mean and what you are going through, and if you are not careful you'll get used. 

[Incognegro]

Have they or are they trying to get another musician? If not, maybe you should tell them that you have a family and that you need to spend time with them, and that you won't be able to come to every service, because you have to spend time with your family. Hopefully and prayerfully they will understand, and find another musician to ease the tension off of you, trust me I know what you mean and what you are going through, and if you are not careful you'll get used. 

I'm currently teaching two kids the basics.  I'm talking Major Scales.  It'll be a while before either of them can hold down a service, but I'm working on it.

[churchyreal]

At my church I took a vacation one Sunday and when I came back people made me feel like I had been gone for like 3 months....in my head I'm like dang man I was only out one Sunday. The Senior Choir musician who plays with me on 2nd Sunday played.

I'm in my senior year in college and I have been fairly lenient with them during my college experience regarding attending. One stipulation I put this school year is that I'm not doing any more than 2 3 service Sundays. The only exception is if Pastor has to preach somewhere. But I don't attend bible study because at least 4 to 5 evenings are in church and I'm trying to take proper time for classwork and social stuff at school this year. This my last year and I'm trying to enjoy it...you know?

[B3Wannabe]

I rarely do Bible study. That's either a house work, or family day. I prefer Sunday School.

[betnich]

Yes and no. Yes because we have somebody assist with Senior Choir on 2nd Sunday because originally I played at another church on 2nd Sunday before playing full time. But all the other Sundays it's just me. Pastor believes in having one musician (Keys/organ player) for consistency and "community".

I think that is my situation. There are a few other Keys players (one on the PT) but Pastor prefers my style, so I'm the one who gets asked to play for offering, altar calls, Kids' song, extra services, background for Communion, etc. I don't want it to get to the place where it's automatically assumed that I will do it all the time and nobody else steps up to participate; that's no way to grow a ministry.

My position is that I will do anything that the whole Praise ministry is asked to do - but use the others from time to time for those 'extras'....

[T-Block]

I don't think my chuch is busy enough. We only have 2 services, Sunday morning and Wednesday night. People be complaining bout dat. Sheesh people, some of u spend more time than that in the bathroom.

[Mysteryman]

Scrubs.  lol



We used to have Sunday morning and night, Monday night choir rehearsal, Tuesday night missionary service, wednesday mid week service, Thursday night bible study, Friday HG joy service, and some Saturday rehearsals. They tried to get rid of tues and fri services and rehearsal on sat now but that didn't work. lol I don't go everyday and I don't feel bad. Used to but I know that's why we need rest. I sometimes stay home and pray or read. I even sometimes just stay home to sleep. lol